“There is more treasure in books, than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” -Walt Disney

Nothing opens the world to a child like books and the love of reading. Studies have shown that having books in the home plays an enormous part in school success. At Assistance League of Irvine, we’re all about making sure kids have a level playing field for success in school – and that includes books of their own.

We give each Operation School Bell student an age-appropriate book of their choice, plus a dictionary for each family. And where do these books come from? From YOU, our generous donors and thrift shop patrons!

Each year we hold an annual Book Drive to collect new and gently-used books for these students. The Irvine year-round schools start up in August, so our Book Drive is starting RIGHT NOW!

We supported over 800 students last year through Operation School Bell – so as you can see, we need LOTS of books! We’re particularly looking for books on the middle school or high school required reading lists. You can drop off your book drive donations at the thrift shop during any time than we are open.

Help us encourage the love of reading in this new generation through our book drive. And many, many thanks to ALL OF YOU who make it happen!

Did you know that the ALI thrift shop has GIFT CERTIFICATES? These come in $5 denominations and are a perfect solution for those situations where you need an affordable gift. Like these:

You belong to a Bunco group where everyone has to bring a token door prize to award during the evening.

Your 8th grade daughter wants to have a sleepover birthday party, and you need party favors.

The kid down the street, who has been sleeping on his parents’ couch ever since he graduated from college five years ago, because he’s “writing a screenplay,” finally moves into an apartment, and you want to give him something to send him on his way. (You give his parents a bottle of champagne, however.)

You’re the church youth group advisor/band mother/drill team chaperone or some other type of adult volunteer for a high-school group, and need a unisex-type gift or prize for the kids, that isn’t food.

See how easy this could be? Just visit the thrift shop and tell the cashier you want to buy some GIFT CERTIFICATES. (And while you’re at the shop, reward yourself with a little something, too!)

Assistance League of Irvine was honored on May 31st by the Irvine Prevention Coalition and Irvine Community Drug Prevention. We were one of three groups and 15 individuals receiving awards at City Hall for outstanding work in support of Irvine youth.

ALI was nominated by Susan Holt, a school social worker who coordinates the Irvine Family Resource Program. In her nomination, Susan wrote: “The Assistance League has provided basic needs support through their Operation School Bell Program for decades, assisting low income students to be ready to learn by providing backpacks, school supplies and clothing to needy families in IUSD. Over the last few years, they have gone above and beyond OSB by making additional funds available to help some of our especially challenged K-12 students with graduation costs, bus passes to get to school, additional clothing and gift cards for extra school supplies. For these students, even getting to school can be a challenge. The help provided by AL funds helps them feel more prepared and ready to move forward with their education. It is hard to describe what a difference these supports make for homeless kids who may also be dealing with extreme family problems and financial pressures, personal challenges, multiple moves, and housing and food insecurity.”

The Irvine Prevention Coalition was formed in 1995 to bring together resources and services to support children, youth, and families. Today there are over 60 community partners participating in the coalition. Their mission is to support a safe and caring community by working together to provide prevention strategies and coordinated services designed to reduce substance abuse, violence and related problems among our youth. Preventive strategies take many forms – education about drug and alcohol abuse, encouragement of healthy lifestyles, and giving young people the tools to be successful in school and life without drugs.

We are honored to be recognized for Operation School Bell. But we couldn’t provide everything we give the kids through OSB without the continued support of our thrift store shoppers and donors! Thank you!

Every year in May, Assistance League of Irvine sponsors an amazing event that allows every child to be an artist for an afternoon. Our 24th Young Masters Art Show will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 1 – 4 pm at Irvine City Hall. The FREE activities will include hands-on art projects for children, musical performances by Irvine high schools, face painting, balloon artists and – complimentary refreshments! A perfect event for the entire family!

Along with all this, almost 500 artworks created by Irvine elementary school students (one selection representing each elementary school classroom) will be on display inside City Hall during the festivities. These “Young Masters” are so talented, it’s unbelievable. You’ll be awed by the creativity of the artwork, and you’ll have a new appreciation for the work our Irvine Unified School District Art Specialist teachers are doing in the classroom. And you’ll be similarly impressed by the high school music groups – these teenagers sound like professional musicians.

But the best part of Young Masters is seeing the joy the kids have as they make their own art projects at the hands-on art stations. Here “every child is an artist,” feeling the thrill of creativity and reminding us that the arts enrich us all.

Put Young Masters on your calendar for May 3 – we hope to see you there!